Virtua Quest: Fighter Profiles

A look at legendary combatants. Plus, exclusive footage shows off the fighters in action.

By Juan Castro

In Sega's hybrid action/RPG Virtua Quest, players will tool around virtual cities populated by characters from the Virtua Fighter series. Admittedly, the concept seems a little odd. It's definitely unique.In late August, Sega released Virtua Quest in Japan under the name Virtua Fighter: Cyber Generation.

At the time, we took the game for a spin but it wasn't until recently that we've had the chance to test a localized build. And while the game has take some time to make its way overseas, we'll ease the pain by offering a string of exclusive peaks at the game. We've teamed up with Sega to bring you everything you need to know about the Virtua Quest universe.

For those who don't know,Virtua Quest takes place in the not-so-distant future. The world has predictably grown more and more dependant on technology, but at the same time, it has used technology to expand the ways (and places) in which people live. The greatest technological achievment being the Nexus, an evolved form of cyberspace.

After locating special "data chips" within the Nexus, Sei is taken away to a virtual battle ground where one of the VF characters awaits, including Akira, Shun Di, Jeffrey and Pai. By successfully beating the character in battle (with the character's Virtua Fighter II music in the background), you learn a new move.

The reward is a trademark move from the character. SEGA has delivered some juicy information regarding these legendary fighters, along with new footage of them in action. Scroll down to see each character then head over to the media section to see them in motion.

Akira Yuki

A master of the art of Hakkyoku-Ken, Akira is on a quest to find the true nature of strength. His belief is that purity of the soul and one's own inner strength are what allow an individual to succeed.

Jeffry McWild

He professes his true battle to be against nature itself-something which is exemplified by his consuming desire to defeat the Satan Shark. He feels that a person improves their abilities only by seeing how insignificant they are next to nature's strength, and from there, striving to better oneself.

Jacky Bryant

His sister and fellow Virtua Fighter Sarah was abducted by Judgment Six and brainwashed. Jacky therefore honed his skills in the way of Jeet Kune Do in order to save her and foil their plans.

Kagemaru

A master of Hagakure-ryu Jujutsu, an assassin's art, he also uses his skills to save lives where he can. His hometown was destroyed by Judgment Six, and his mother was captured. He fought on to save her, but she had already been transformed into a Dural, a cyborg-like fighting machine-and in the end, he had no choice but to put her to rest with his own hands.

Lau Chan

Lau is dying of a terminal illness. He is the world's only master of the forbidden style of Koen-Ken, and before he dies, he wishes to find a successor so that the art does not disappear along with him-but he is yet to find an individual who he feels is worthy of its secrets.

Wolf Hawkfield

A professional wrestler, who fights for the rush and the glory that fighting itself brings to the spirit. His desire to fight had died once, but was rekindled by Judgment Six's tournament, and he hopes to inspire others to take up the battle with him.

Sarah Bryant

She was brainwashed by Judgment Six to be an assassin. In the end, she was even sent to kill her own brother, Jacky. He was able to stop her and save her, but the psychological scars that she still bears urge her to fight on against Judgment Six, on a quest to regain her sense of self.

Shun-Di

A kindly old man who is both a master of drunken kung fu and something of a philosopher. His wrinkled face always shows a bit of a smile, and he delivers comforting (if cryptic) advice to those who seek to learn from his decades of experience.

Pai Chan

Daughter of Lau, she vehemently disagrees with her father's actions. Having abandoned his family in order to risk his life by continuing to fight despite his failing health, Pai has trained herself so that she may fight him, challenge him, and defeat him, reclaiming her family's honor and stopping his foolish ideals.

Lion Rafale

This son of a wealthy family was unsatisfied with being pampered and having all of his decisions made for him "in his own best interests." So, he struck out into the world on his own, and discovered his talent at fighting. Realizing that he is still young and inexperienced, he hopes to master the art of Tourou-Ken and become champion.

Aoi Umenokoji

A nobleman's daughter, her elegance and beauty mask her true skills as a vicious and capable practitioner of the way of Aiki-Jujutsu. She left the cloistered microcosm of the upper class in order to see the rest of world, only to find that she was still so na¿ve about many things. Because of this, she strives daily to better herself, so that she can be the best that she can be.

Lei-Fei

A master of Shaolin Kung Fu, Lei-Fei's duty was to track down Lau Chan, the last man to hold the secrets of the forbidden art of Koen-Ken, and stop him. He believes absolutely in the power of kung fu. However, with Lei-Fei's desire for power, his true plan is to make those forbidden secrets his own...

Vanessa Lewis

Raised by Judgment Six, she was brought up to be a living instrument of battle. A secret agent rescued her from the evil syndicate's clutches, and took her under his wing as his own daughter. When Judgment Six then assassinated him, Vanessa lost everything that she knew, and she has now pledged her life to the cause of revenge.